Panetta said that NATO had to first determine whether the Transitional National Council, the post-Gaddafi authority in Libya, can protect civilians, the New York Times reports.

U.S. and French officials has reportedly pushed for the air war to continue in Libya until at least until the TNC forces captured Sirte. Pro-Gaddafi fighters also control the small desert enclave of Bani Walid, the NYT reports.

However, according to the LATimes:

Other NATO members had urged ending the operation sooner, arguing that the alliance in effect had achieved its stated mission of protecting Libyan civilians even if fighting continues in scattered pockets.